Hebrides Plan

Minister Denies

Rumour On New

A rumour that Britain pro posed to withdraw from the New Hebrides was “quite without foundation”, the British Secre tary of State for the Colonies, Mr. Fred Lee, said in Vila on

August 2.

“/\N the contrary, our policy con- Vf tinues to be to work with our French colleagues and with the people of this territory for the peaceful progress of all who live in these islands,” he said, Mr. Lee was speaking at the inauguration of a joint radio service provided by the British and French Administrations, which, initially, will broadcast news, information and entertainment for 90 minutes each day from Tuesday to Friday.

He was apparently referring to newsagency reports from London and Paris in July which said that British and French officials intended to discuss a British plan soon to hand over its half-interest in the New Hebrides to the other partner, France ( PIM, Aug., p. 17).

Mr. Lee said that although the Colonial Office had ceased to exist as a separate ministry, and although the New Hebrides would pass to the control of the Commonwealth Office, this did not mean that the interests of the people of the Condominium would be forgotten or that people unfamiliar with their difficulties would take over.

"Positive Discussions"

“I shall continue to be Secretary of State for the Colonies for the time being,” Mr. Lee said, “and many of the experienced staff of the Colonial Office are continuing to man the new office.

“This change does not mean any change in Britain’s policy towards the New Hebrides.”

Mr. Lee said he had recently had “the most friendly and positive discussions” with General Billotte, the French Minister for Overseas Territories, and he was sure that these would result in Britain and France continuing to work in har mony and in “developing new initiative for the advantage of all”.

Co-operation between British, French and New Hebrideans on every

level was an indispensable condition of progress in the New Hebrides.

The broadcasting service was a symbol of this partnership.

“In a territory composed of islands, the radio can be a link to join you all together,” Mr. Lee said. “It can also serve as a teacher in bringing new ideas and new information to old and young alike.

“It will thrive on friendly criticism and will need the support of all listeners. It will provide opportunities for local musicians and writers, and I hope it will start straightaway to build up a library of recordings,

for these will be of the greatest historical interest to future genera tions.”

Mr. Lee also laid the foundation stone for a British secondary school in Vila which is being built with British Colonial Development and Welfare funds.

At this function he said that despite the British Government’s “drastic and sometimes grievous cuts on planned expenditure”, it believed it could still maintain her responsibi lities to her dependent territories, and the New Hebrides was not likely to suffer from present difficulties.